Ganghwa-do
| Ganghwa Island | |
|---|---|
| Korean transcription(s) | |
| • Hangul | |
| • Hanja | |
| • Revised Romanization | Ganghwado |
| • McCune–Reischauer | Kanghwado |
Ganghwa
|
|
 Map showing location of Ganghwa Island. |
|
| Country | South Korea |
| Area | |
| • Total | 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi) |
| Population (est.) | |
| • Total | 65,500 |
| • Density | 220/km2 (560/sq mi) |
Ganghwa Island, also known by its native name Ganghwado, is a South Korean island in the estuary of the Han River. It lies in the Yellow Sea off Korea's west coast, separated from Gimpo on the South Korean mainland by a narrow channel spanned by two bridges and from Kaesong (Gaeseong) in North Korea by the main channel of the Han River.
The island is strategically located, controlling access to the river which runs through the former Joseon and present South Korean capital Seoul. Its fortifications were repeatedly attacked during the 19th century. With an area of 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi), it now constitutes most of Ganghwa County, a division of Incheon Municipality. It has a population of about 65,500 people, half of whom live in Ganghwa Town (Ganghwa-eup) on the northeast.
"Ganghwado" or "Ganghwa-do" (Korean: , formerly ) is Korean for "Island Made Prosperous", "Illustrious", or "Flourishing by the River" in reference to its formation from the silt carried downriver by the Han. Former romanizations include Kang-hoa and Kang-hwa.
The island lies in the estuary of Korea's Han River. It is 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi), measuring 28 kilometers (17 mi) long and 22 kilometers (14 mi) wide, making it the 4th largest island in South Korea. Its highest point is Mani-san (469 m or 1,539 ft above sea level).
...
Wikipedia